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Wednesday, April 1, 2015

A as in Arlee & All

Attention!

The time has come. Already the first posts of the 2015 Blogging from A to Z April Challenge have been flooding the internet as bloggers from India and other parts of that side of the globe have been publishing their posts for the letter "A". As many of you are reading this now, more bloggers from other time zones have published their blog posts. I've seen some quality work so far which gives me high hopes for this year. As of today I'm giving the bloggers of A to Z at big A+ grade for the work that's being turned in.

Action!

Even if you don't have your post up or prepared you can still gear into action and start writing. Listen all you bloggers, you are also writers (even if you don't think of yourself as such) and you can write off the cuff, spur of the moment improvisational pieces. A to Z is a test of your blogging abilities and I have no doubt that you've got what it takes to start and finish this Challenge. Give it all you've got and let's see this thing through!

All of Us!

We are the mighty A to Z Community and we've got unity, comradery, and a spirit of support for each other. Now in it's 6th year, A to Z has shown how we bloggers can help each other out when help is needed. We are all in this together. Visit as many blogs as you can and comment often. This is a good investment of your time and as you continue blogging onward into the future you will see how your actions in April will pay off in the coming months and even years.

Ask Arlee!

All of the co-hosts have been doing their "About Me" posts so here is mine.

With a lifelong interest in writing, I discovered blogging in 2009 and realized it is a great way to get ones writing out before the public without having to submit it all over the place to face numerous rejections and maybe never get published. It's been a wonderful writing adventure for me so far.

After a couple months of being mostly unnoticed on my blog, I started catching on to the social networking game and the not-so-secret secret of getting blog followers. This discovery led to my starting the first Blogging from A to Z April Challenge in 2010. It worked and now here we are with six fantastic years and thousands of adherents, fans, and followers. A to Z has gained an admirable reputation and we've had some of the best bloggers in the world joining us since its inception.

I have all of these blogs operational for A to Z in April. I hope you will take time to visit them.

>>Some questions asked by A to Z community members:

Susan Scottfrom theGarden of Eden Blogasks "Do you remember your dreams?" Much of the time I do remember my dreams. I've been interested in dreams since childhood and have at times kept a dream diary. Now I write about dreams and dreaming at my blog A Faraway View. Be sure to visit Susan's blog as well as she also will be writing about dreams as her A to Z theme for April.Barbara In Caneyhead asks: "What is your favorite pastime other than writing/reading/blogging?" For many years I worked in touring theatrical productions as a manager, actor, and juggler. I'm still very interested in show business even though I've stepped away from that life for now. I continue to have a passion for travel and take long road trips whenever I can. I love traveling the roads of the United States.Loni Townsend asks:"You are one insane guy... four blogs for the A-to-Z challenge?? Okay, here's my question for you: How do you find time to do it all?" In order to take on the four blogs for the Challenge I plan ahead as much as possible. Short posts are also vital. I highly recommend that everyone keep their posts short for A to Z if they can. In fact, I've grown to be rather a fan of shorter posts all the time. Oh, I still get wordy at times, but don't most of us?Nicole asks:"What I'd like you to blab about is:How did you propose?" Actually I don't exactly remember the how of it. Since we were both older and had gone through previous marriages I think we just kind of came to a mutual agreement that incorporated logic and, of course, love. My wife and I have now been married for going on 18 years."Aside from blogging, what do you do for fun?" I enjoy movies and music. And my wife and I like to dine out."If you could only have one condiment for an entire year, what would you pick?" That's so difficult since I'm a condiment crazy guy. One of my absolute favorites though is Tabasco sauce. That could take the place of a lot of other things for me.Dixie@dcrelief asks:"Oh, and a question? What finally made me say yes to the challenge?? I don't know, this is 'ask Arlee' today... right?!!" Well yes, it is "Ask Arlee" day, but I can only guess why you said yes to the Challenge. My guess is that you needed A to Z in order to Challenge your abilities, you wanted to be part of a great community of bloggers, and you find me utterly irresistible. Isn't that why every one does this A to Z Challenge?Advance! And now, my thanks to all of you for stopping by and being a part of A to Z. Also, a magnanimously huge thanks to my great team of co-hosts as listed in the sidebar and all of our individual teams of helpers who you can find listed in the tab at the top of the page. These are the people who really keep A to Z advancing onward and I'd be lost in this Challenge without them by my side. Be sure to visit all of them and express some gratitude. Now let's get busy wrapping up our blog posts and visiting all the wonderful bloggers out there. Don't forget to leave comments!

You're the boss, AR-Lee when it comes to the A to Z, and it's helped me produce some collections of posts I'd probably not have otherwise. Thanks for creating a motivating blog challenge and staying with it!

I especially liked your answer to the 'how did you propose?' question. I'm still waiting on my proposal from my husband. We just kind of came to a mutual agreement that we should get married at some point. It always makes me smile when I see I'm not the only one who did it that way.

I started blogging because it was a fun way to learn more about the business side of being a writer. I continue because of the amazing friends I've made along the way. I love reading your posts on any of your blogs Arlee! Happy A to Z!

I am so glad I joined this challenge, I have been feeling uninspired for some time and now i am inspired again, thank you! Here is my A is for ATTRACTION http://www.kellymartinspeaks.co.uk/2015/04/a-is-for-attraction.html

Mine went out at 1 a.m. Arlee. Thanks for dreaming up this Challenge, I have enjoyed it for 4 years now. I had forgotten the hyperlink signature until I saw a reminder this morning. JO ON FOOD, LIFE AND A SCENT OF CHOCOLATE

Great to read more about you. Four blogs is definitely an added challenge! I admire your dedication to writing and categorizing your thoughts, dreams, and words. Thanks for starting the challenge.Play off the Page

OK, well that's the first post done and dusted. Very excited about the challenge, and i hope to see an improvement in the way i go about my writing tasks over the month, in terms of organisation, efficiency, etc. Gook luck everybody!

No one asked but I have explained it in other posts. The pseudonym "Arlee" came from the shortened version of Robert Lee or R. Lee as I started signing things when I was in college. "Bird" came about because "Arlee" reminded me of "early" and I had a great idea for a bird logo that I used back in the 80's when I started an entertainment production company. I clung to the moniker when I started blogging and now that is who I have become.

You know... I'm actually not very big on condiments.. Other than pickles. Mmm pickles.Thanks again for having us all on the team, Lee! So glad to do it for another year!~AJ Lauer an A-Z Cohost@ayjaylauer on Twitter

I was the first to sign up for the A to Z back in 2010, I "Met" Alex that year also. Meeting Arlee in LA was a day I shall never forget. He was the perfect host.I enjoyed your "A" an excellent start to the challenge.

I'm definitely write off the cuff. Looking forward to participating for the first time. I always enjoy reading posts from this challenge. I really should have written my number down though. It's going to take me all day to find it ;)

It is always great to be here - to activate, advance and align with the remarkable bloggers on such a wide variety of topics. Thank you, Arlee, for being an inspiration for all these years and now, beyond as well.

Thanks a lot for this motivation. Exactly the sort we seek in our busy schedule. This is my first post on A-Z challenge. A for Acceptance. A fiction. http://bluesomeheart.blogspot.in/2015/04/acceptance.html

Tabasco sauce huh... My hubby might agree with you there! I LOVE your dream blog. And four blogs?!!! Eyes popping out now. I couldn't do that right now. I too, love to travel. In case you hadn't guessed that already! Lisa, co-host AtoZ2015, @ lisabuiecollard.com

I am very excited to be part of this challenge! This is my first year so I hope to do well and connect with more bloggers. I chose A for Acorns at http://owladventure.com/2015/04/01/atozchallenge-owls-a-to-z-adventure/ Thanks, Arlee! This is so awesome! ����

I love the challenge! I usually participate via my older blog, Empty Nest but am trying it with my new one this year- Grinding My Grits. I'm looking forward to reading and reading and reading and meeting new folks!

Hello there. Just want to thank Arlee and his co-hosts for this space. This is my second year taking part. I prepared well in advance and scheduled my posts ahead of time so they'll post automatically if I don't have time to blog on a particular day. I appreciate the motivation and energy...especially as the signup list keeps growing! Enjoy the challenge everyone!

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